More Lyoto Machida

Biography

TRAINING: I do my technical training in the mornings, strength and conditioning in the afternoons and jiu-jitsu at night.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started training Karate at the age of 3. I started training to fight MMA at the age of 17. I always wanted to fight MMA professionally.

What ranks and titles have you held? Former UFC light heavyweight champion. Karate: Brazilian Champion twice, and 2nd in South American Championship. Black Belt in Shotokan karate and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Do you have any heroes? My Father

What is your favorite technique? That will be revealed on fight night.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? I want to get to the top of the UFC. My Dad always taught me to strive to be the best, and that’s what I plan to do in the UFC. It’s a great honor to fight in this event.What was your job before you started fighting? I taught and competed in Karate

• Embraced by many as a real-life “Karate Kid” because he has trained in Shotokan Karate since he was 3 or 4 years old under his father, Shinzo; Is one of the few modern-day UFC fighters to lean heavily on his Karate skills and produce excellent results.

• One of the secrets of his success: Named one of the 10 most superstitious athletes by Men's Fitness mag; Proudly admits to using "urine therapy," which entails drinking his own urine every morning. "It makes me superfit," he told Men's Fitness magazine. "It's something I learned from my father when I was young. It really strengthens my immune system."

• "Karate's Back!": Machida's impromptu declaration after winning the UFC title by knocking out Rashad Evans on May 23, 2009. The now ex-champ is renowned for his unique counter-striking style, which sees him mystify opponents and rarely get hit (Mauricio "Shogun" Rua being the obvious exception), possess extraordinary timing and accurarcy with his punches, and showcase top-notch takedown defense and Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills.

• Leaving No Stone Unturned: Has trained and studied sumo as well, perhaps the only elite UFC fighter to do so

• Mom is Brazilian, father originally from Japan

• Black belt in Shotokan Karate and Brazilian jiu-jitsu

• University Degree in Physical Education

• Owner of one of the most technical and unorthodox styles in mixed martial arts

• Prior to loss to Rua, had only lost two rounds on the judges’ scorecards in his UFC career.